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Saltman/Knowles Quintet

The Saltman Knowles Quintet is a shining example of the tradition in jazz for long-term artist collaborations. This Washington DC group is known for serving up melodically alluring while rhythmically infectious music with a sincere and emotional collection of songs. Bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles, the leaders of this seamless blending of sounds, met while attending the composition program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and created a musical bond with similar affections for the music of Billy Strayhorn, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton and Charles Mingus.

The new release, "Return of the Composer" exemplifies the cohesive unit created with a strong underlying foundation, interesting melodic lines, spirited rhythms and superlative musicianship. With four CDs under their belt the group decided to continue their journey into creative musical explorations by including the soulful sounds of vocalist Lori William- Chisholm in a more unconventional way. The use of the voice as an instrumental texture executing complex melodies while avoiding the cliché of standard vocal presentations is the icing on the cake of this delicious voyage of musical expression. The compelling clarity of Lori’s vocals add to the rich spirit of this CD that includes drummer Jimmy "Junebug" Jackson, alto sax player Rob Landham and trumpeter Alvin Trask who provide a lush array of musical brilliance to this solid mix.

According to Saltman Knowles "What makes this record different sound wise is the use of vocalese (using the voice as another instrument). We're lucky in the sense that we can have both an instrumental sound like a straight swinging quintet as well as a vocal sound. The music we write is melodic, harmonically dense, and swinging. Often our music is a sketch of personal situations in our lives or of those friends who are close to us. Music is our way of commenting about life."

Mark Saltman always wanted to join his stepbrother, Steve, every time he played the drums in their basement. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut he grew up with a father who listened to jazz, which helped to influence Mark’s future passion for playing bass. "My Father, who "Return of the Composer" is partly for, used to have a big Jazz collection. He was into Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Brubeck and some West Coast like Shorty Rogers. I used to listen to his records and I kind of knew the song "Take 5" but I really started to dig it when I heard Al Jarreau's version of it." His next big influence was the great American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator, Dr. Yusef Lateef whom Mark met while attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr. Lateef helped Mark form his unique musical ideas and concepts by encouraging him to find his "own sound within". Eventually he did a recording with Dr. Lateef entitled "CHNOPS Gold +Soul". "I spent a lot of time with Dr. Yusef Lateef when I was up at the University of Massachusetts. I was supposed to have an hour lesson, but if the people after me didn't show up it would go on for a long time. I think the record was six hours straight. We used to talk about all kinds of things including music, religion, and politics. He is Muslim and I am Jewish, so we really went into the whole religious thing. It was totally respectful and incredibly enlightening. " While at Hartt school Mark had the opportunity to study with Jackie McClean for a year, along with a couple of other great musicians, Midge Pike and Salvatore Macchia on the bass and Richie Hartt whom Mark refers to as "a great guitar player". His desire to compose manifested at an early age from an intuitive reaction to a frustrating childhood but it helped him to fill the gap and ultimately became the focus of his life. These deep experiences opened Mark up to the intricate and haunting melodies of many unique jazz masters. "From a composition standpoint I really like Billy Strayhorn, Sting and Horace Silver. Strayhorn was a master at beautiful melodies and harmonic interest; I mean just listen to a song like "My Little Brown Book". Sting I love because he is a supposed pop artist but look at how sophisticated his music is not to mention brilliant lyrics. And Horace Silver really brought the music forward with different feels while still using great chord changes." Besides his dedication to the Saltman Knowles Quintet, Mark is an educator in the Washington DC schools and likes exploring the relationship between sound and color in the study of Synaesthesia.

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420
Album Review

Saltman Knowles: Return of the Composer

Read "Return of the Composer" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Mark Saltman (double bass) and William Knowles (piano) met at the University of Massachusetts while attending the composition program. They forged a common musical bond, one that has grown stronger over the years.

The two make composition the strong point of their music and the natural springboard for improvisation. But they also explore melody and rhythm and on this CD have brought in vocalist Lori Williams Chisholm to expand the boundaries. With ideas that are stimulating enough, the ...

296
Album Review

Saltman/Knowles Quintet: It's About the Melody

Read "It's About the Melody" reviewed by Michael J. West


Washington, D.C.'s Saltman/Knowles Quintet (four-fifths of whom were once four-sixths of Soulservice) have staked everything on making tuneful, singable jazz. That's made clear in the liner notes of It's About the Melody. After a list of “Things we like that includes everything from Borat to sweet potatoes to Billy Strayhorn, their dislikes contain but one entry: “Music without melodies.

Little wonder, with melodic gifts like those of bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles--who met while studying composition in college. ...

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156

Recording

Saltman Knowles Releases New CD, "Yesterday's Man," with World Influences

Saltman Knowles Releases New CD, "Yesterday's Man," with World Influences

Source: Sound Visions Media

Slated for Street Date of January 26, 2010 San Diego, CA - October 30, 2009 - Saltman Knowles, called “a fine example of all that is good in contemporary jazz," once again stays true to melody and original composition in their latest release on the Pacific Coast Jazz label, Yesterday's Man. On the heels of their critically acclaimed fifth CD, Return of the Composer, bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles have produced a sophisticated yet rhythmically driven statement with ...

137

Recording

Saltman Knowles Charts #8 on Jazz World Week with Upcoming CD Release Event

Saltman Knowles Charts #8 on Jazz World Week with Upcoming CD Release Event

Source: Sound Visions Media

Saltman Knowles current release, Return Of The Composer hit #8 on the Jazz World Week and expected to go higher.

The information comes on the heels of their CD release event in Washington DC next weekend. The Quintet has been receiving excellent reviews, a current one out in JazzTimes this month, along with strong radio airplay.

Called “a brilliant example of all that is good in contemporary jazz” the Saltman Knowles Quintet, a Washington DC based band on the Pacific ...

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Performance / Tour

Saltman Knowles Quintet Celebrate Their New Release "Return of the Composer"

Saltman Knowles Quintet Celebrate Their New Release "Return of the Composer"

Source: Sound Visions Media

Called “a brilliant example of all that is good in contemporary jazz” the Saltman Knowles Quintet, a Washington DC based band on the Pacific Coast Jazz label, will celebrate the release of their fifth CD, Return Of The Composer on Friday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 4th from 9 PM to 1 AM ($12 cover) at the cultural arts center, HR57, located at 1610 14th St. NW, Washington, DC. The Saltman Knowles Quintet, known for their long-term artist collaborations that ...

108

Recording

Saltman Knowles Joins Pacific Coast Jazz with New CD Release "Return of the Composer"

Saltman Knowles Joins Pacific Coast Jazz with New CD Release "Return of the Composer"

Source: Sound Visions Media

San Diego, CA - November 30, 2008 - San Diego-based independent record label, Pacific Coast Jazz (PCJ), announces the signing of Washington, DC-based jazz ensemble, Saltman Knowles. The agreement anticipates the release of their new CD, Return of the Composer, slated for a street date of February 10, 2009. “We're excited to have the opportunity to represent Saltman Knowles' fifth and most impressive CD to date," says Donna Nichols, founder and president of Pacific Coast Jazz. “This album truly confirms ...

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Recording

The Saltman/Knowles Quintet Has Something to Sing About

The Saltman/Knowles Quintet Has Something to Sing About

Source: All About Jazz

"It's About The Melody", by Saltman/Knowles Quintet {Blue Canoe Records}, brings tight jazz harmonies and elegant lyrics together in a pleasing, sophisticated fashion. By combining compelling, interesting jazz arrangements and a sense of poetry in a friendly, non-pretentious manner, the group offers a comfortable program of songs that is sure to be in step with listeners and contemporary jazz radio formats world wide.

The ten songs on the cd were composed alternately by bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles ...

Primary Instrument

Composer / conductor

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Return of the Composer

Pacific Coast Jazz
2009

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It's About the Melody

Blue Canoe Records
2007

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